Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea ISSN:1229-3059(Print) 2287-2302(Online) 한국전산구조공학회 논문집

This study investigated the structural performance of the RC boundary beam–wall system subjected to axial loads that required lesser construction quantity and smaller floor height in comparison with the conventional RC transfer girder system. Four specimens of 1/2 scale were constructed, and their peak strengths under axial loads and failure characteristics were compared and analyzed. Test parameters included the ratio of the lower to the upper wall length, lower wall thickness, and stirrup details of the lower wall. In addition, three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to verify the effectiveness of the boundary beam–wall system. The peak strength of each specimen was similar to the nominal axial strength of the lower wall, indicating that the axial load was transferred smoothly from the upper to the lower wall. The contribution of the lower wall cross-section was high if the ratio of the lower to the upper wall length was small; the contribution was low if the out-of-plane eccentricity existed in the lower wall. The specimen with smaller stirrup distance and cross-ties in the lower wall showed higher initial stiffness and peak load than other specimens.